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LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2026, Page 295

Scan: The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
Transcription machine transcription, uncorrected

FLOOR COMMITTEES: REPORT AND OVERTURE ASSIGNMENTS

2. International Witness
REPORTS
R1–R1.2, R1.2.2, R1.2.4–R1.2.5, R5.2, R7–R8,
R12, R56–R57, R62.5
OVERTURES
Ov. 2-01

To Encourage Prayer, Partnership, and
Participation in International Mission
WHEREAS, Scripture exhorts believers to “pray earnestly to the
Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest” (Matt.
9:38) and to be “eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond
of peace” (Eph. 4:3); and
WHEREAS, Congregations of the Michigan District partner with
Lutheran church ministries around the world, such as with Lutheran
Church of Uganda through Women of the Pearl, Mission
Opportunities Short Term Ministries, Lutheran Association of
Missionaries and Pilots, and the Office of International Mission in
Puerto
Rico
through
the
FORO
model
(international.lcms.org/events-foros); therefore be it
Resolved, That the district’s Gospel partnership with other
Lutheran churches in the world be commended to all Synod
congregations as a worthy focus for prayer and thanksgiving in
corporate worship; and be it further
Resolved, That the Synod encourage its congregations to commit
to praying regularly for the Lord to raise up pastors and to prosper
the ministry of the Lutheran churches in the world, and to consider
supporting their works through their time, talents, and treasures as
the Spirit moves them; and be it further
Resolved, That the Synod adopt the already commended practice
of participation in forums, such as the Latin American FORO,
committing to regular support, including a financial commitment;
and be it further
Resolved, That the Synod consider how the FORO model could
be employed to create partnerships between congregations in the
Synod and the mission field, and inspire congregation members to
be in mission at home and abroad; and be it finally
Resolved, That the Synod encourage its congregations to
prayerfully explore the FORO model as a framework for deepening
their connection to the global mission of the Church through
financial support and personal involvement.
Michigan District
Ov. 2-02

To Encourage Every Congregation
to Adopt a Missionary
WHEREAS, Our Lord has instructed His Church to “Go therefore
and make disciples of all nations” (Matt. 28:19); and
WHEREAS, The Synod has heeded this instruction in part by
sending missionaries to many countries in its history; and

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WHEREAS, In recent years, the Synod has supported this effort
through the Network Supported Missionary (NSM) model, where
congregations adopt and support the missionaries of the Synod; and
WHEREAS, This program has been a great success not only in the
support of our missionaries, but also in raising the awareness of
mission work in our congregations and in joining them and their
members in this effort; and
WHEREAS, The purpose of the NSM model is not only financial
support, but also the prayers of God’s people for our missionaries;
and
WHEREAS, Some congregations do not participate in this effort
due to financial limitations, missing out on the joy of supporting a
missionary through their prayers and in learning about the work that
is going on around the world; and
WHEREAS, Our Lord has given many great and precious promises
regarding prayer, and that He is “able to do far more abundantly
than all that we ask or think” (Eph. 3:20); and
WHEREAS, Gifts are of great value, significance, and joy to our
Lord Jesus; therefore be it
Resolved, That the SELC District in convention encourage all its
congregations to adopt a missionary to support with their prayers
and, if possible, with their mission giving; and be it further
Resolved, That the district in convention memorialize the Synod
in convention in the same, until each and every congregation in our
Synod be connected to and praying for one of our missionaries and
financially supporting them as they are able.
SELC District
Ov. 2-03

To Direct Board for International Mission to Study
Ecclesiastical Supervision, Pastoral Care,
and Synod Membership
in International Mission Contexts
WHEREAS, The 2023 Synod convention adopted Resolutions 203 and 2-06A (2023 Proceedings, 124–126), which address matters
related to ecclesiastical supervision, pastoral care of missionaries,
and Synod membership for international congregations; and
WHEREAS, These matters relate to the responsibility of the Board
for International Mission (BIM) under Bylaw 3.8.3; and
WHEREAS, The BIM has already invested significant time
studying the possibility and advisability of such arrangements and
has determined that reasonable pathways exist; and
WHEREAS, Responsible stewardship requires careful study and
appropriate consultation prior to proposing potential actions to the
Synod; therefore be it
Resolved, That the BIM continue to study and identify priority
considerations related to ecclesiastical supervision, pastoral care,
and structural organization in international mission contexts; and be
it further
Resolved, That such study include, but not be limited to,
examination of the Synod’s historical international districts, prior
inclusion efforts, mission-based or associate relationship models,
existing international mission structures, and core ecclesiastical
needs (including supervision, pastoral care, and call processes),
while considering policy based solutions within the existing
constitutional and bylaw frameworks of the Synod; and be it finally

2026 Convention Workbook